| Septic shock is a serious medical condition. | | | | causes vasodilation and increase in capillary |
| During septic shock, the body tissues and | | | | permeability leading to shock. |
| organs do not get enough blood and oxygen. | | | | |
| Septic shock may progress to cause "adult | | | | Septic shock is a medical emergency. Prompt |
| respiratory distress syndrome," in which | | | | treatment of bacterial infections is helpful. |
| fluid collects in the lungs, and breathing | | | | Septic shock is treated initially with a |
| becomes very shallow and labored. Septic | | | | combination of antibiotics and fluid |
| shock occurs most often in the very old and | | | | replacement. Treatment primarily consists of |
| the very young. It also occurs in people who | | | | antimicrobial chemotherapy, removal of the |
| have other illnesses. Serious bacterial | | | | source of infection, and haemodynamic, |
| infections at any body site, with or without | | | | respiratory, and metabolic support. |
| bacteremia, usually are associated with | | | | Coagulation and hemorrhage may be treated |
| important changes in the function of every | | | | with transfusions of plasma or platelets. |
| organ system in the body. Septic shock can | | | | Dopamine may be given to increase blood |
| lead to multiple organ failure including | | | | pressure further if necessary. High doses of |
| respiratory failure, and may cause rapid | | | | intravenous antibiotics are given as soon as |
| death. Toxic shock syndrome is one type of | | | | blood samples have been taken for laboratory |
| septic shock. Septic shock is usually | | | | cultures. Surgery may be performed to remove |
| preceded by bacteremia, which is marked by | | | | any dead tissue, such as gangrenous tissue of |
| fever, malaise, chills, and nausea. The first | | | | the intestine. Despite all efforts, more than |
| sign of shock is often confusion and | | | | 25% of people with septic shock die. |
| decreased consciousness. Bacteremia may be | | | | Corticosteroid therapy appears beneficial. |
| primary (without an identifiable focus of | | | | Treatment is with replacement, rather than |
| infection) or, more often, secondary (with an | | | | pharmacologic, doses. Scrupulous aseptic |
| intravascular or extravascular focus of | | | | technique on the part of medical |
| infection). | | | | professionals lowers the risk of introducing |
| | | | bacteria into the bloodstream. |
| Septic shock occurs more often in neonates, | | | | |
| patients > 35 yr, and pregnant women. Septic | | | | Treatment for Septic Shock Tips |
| shock is severe sepsis with organ | | | | |
| hypoperfusion and hypotension that are poorly | | | | 1. Antimicrobial chemotherapy, removal of the |
| responsive to initial fluid resuscitation. | | | | source of infection, and haemodynamic, |
| The condition develops as a response to | | | | respiratory, and metabolic support. |
| certain microbial molecules which trigger the | | | | |
| production and release of cellular mediators, | | | | 2. Corticosteroids, especially if combined |
| such as tumor necrosis factors. Toxic shock | | | | with a mineralocorticoid, can reduce |
| syndrome most often occurs in menstruating | | | | mortality among patients. |
| women using highly absorbent tampons. It | | | | |
| occurs in about 40% of patients with | | | | 3. Activated protein C can reduce mortality |
| gram-negative bacteremia and in about 20% of | | | | in patients with multi-organ failure. |
| patients with Staphylococcus aureus | | | | |
| bacteremia. Hyperventilation with respiratory | | | | 4. Coagulation and hemorrhage may be treated |
| alkalosis occurs early, in part as | | | | with transfusions of plasma or platelets. |
| compensation for lactic acidemia. Serum HCO3 | | | | |
| is usually low, and serum and blood lactate | | | | 5. Dopamine may be given to increase blood |
| increase. One of the major causes of the | | | | pressure further if necessary. |
| condition leading to septic shock is | | | | |
| infection by gram negative organism. The cell | | | | 6. Surgery may be performed to remove any |
| walls contain endotoxins which trigger the | | | | dead tissue, such as gangrenous tissue of the |
| release of inflammatory mediators which | | | | intestine. |